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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: suit · jam · patient · season · calf · dip · can · rash

  1. I seem to be developing a ________________.
  2. Spring is a pleasant ________________.
  3. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  4. Don't do anything ________________.
  5. The giraffe did all she could to defend her ________________.
  6. I like to ________________ a cookie in coffee.
  7. The farmer was ________________ with the unruly horse.
  8. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  9. When will it ________________ you to start?
  10. Would you like some apricot ________________?
  11. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  12. They watched the sun ________________ below the horizon.
  13. Did you ________________ the meat?
  14. The giraffe protected her ________________ with great courage.
  15. The nurse administered an injection to the ________________.
  16. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  17. The bus was late because of the traffic ________________.
  18. The party suffered for the ________________ of party-switching.
  19. The ________________ was transferred to the cardiology ward.
  20. The ________________ was so hot, it burned my tongue.
  21. Tom got himself in a ________________.
  22. He had ________________ pain while walking.
  23. They retained the League and Cup in his second ________________.
  24. ________________ you help me carry this box?

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. rash — on the skin
  2. season — of the year
  3. suit — clothes
  4. rash — hasty
  5. calf — a young animal
  6. dip — to dunk
  7. patient — calm and waiting
  8. suit — in cards
  9. suit — to fit
  10. jam — to spread on bread
  11. can — a tin
  12. dip — to sink
  13. season — to add flavour
  14. calf — a young animal
  15. patient — a sick person
  16. can — a tin
  17. jam — in traffic
  18. rash — a series
  19. patient — a sick person
  20. dip — a sauce
  21. jam — a tight spot
  22. calf — of the leg
  23. season — in sport
  24. can — to be able to

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com